Vacuum-producing apparatus.



J. PRIEST. VACUUM PRODUGING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8, 1914.

' Patented M21119, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

INVENTOR d LU/(WWW ATTORNEY J. PRIEST.

VACUUM PRODUCING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8, 1914,

Patented Mar. 9, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR ATTO R N EIY VORRIS PETERS C0. FHOTCJJTHLI, WASHINCIUN. D. C

JOHN rn'rnsr, or PHILADELPHIA, rnNns'YLvANIA.

VACUUM-PRODUCING- APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 8, 1914. Serial No. 849,736.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN PRIEST, a citizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented a certaln new and useful Improvement in Vacuum- Producing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to vacuum producing apparatus and has for an object to provide a device operated by gas for producing and maintaining a constant vacuum whereby it may be commercially utilized for vacuum cleaning systems, machines, or other devices wherein a vacuum is employed as a component part of the apparatus.

It has for a further object to provide an apparatus operated by an explosive mixture for producing a vacuum in an inclosed space, the said mixture being automatically controlled and regulated so that a series of successive explosions take place in proper timed relation and result in a substantially constant vacuum being maintained in the desired space.

It has for a further object to provide a vacuum producing apparatus adapted to be installed as part of a house system and having as an operative medium the ordinary illuminating gas, thus dispensing with motors, engines or like appurtenances of a complicated and costly nature.

It further consists of other novel features of construction, all as will be hereinafter fully set forth.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown in the accompanying drawings one form thereof which is at present preferred by me since the same has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that my invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a vacuum producing device embodying my invention; Fig. 2 represents an end elevation of the same; Fig. 3 represents a plan of the device; Fig. 1 represents a sectional detail of one of the control pistons located in the exhaust line; Fig. 5 represents a side elevation of a modified form of apparatus; Fig. 6 represents an end elevation of the same;

and Fig. 7 represents a diagram of the sec ondary electric circuit.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts.

1 designates a casing forming a pair of explosion chambers 2, and a receiving chamber 3, the aforesaid chambers in the present instance being separated one from another by the walls of the casing but having suitable communication by conduits the function of which will be more particularly pointed out later. In the preferred form of the invention the casing is formed as a castlng so shaped that the chambers 2 are substantially U-shaped in form, one leg thereof being longer than the other, while the chamber 3 is suitably shaped to receive a filter member or dust receptacle 4 and adapted to be inserted through the open end of the chamber and depend therein in suitable spaced relation to the walls of the casing as shown in Fig. 1. The receiving chamber 3 is closed by a hinged cap 5 seating upon a gasket 6 so as to prevent leakage between the joint, and is held in operative position a suitable clamping mechanism 7 or the 8 designates the main as su l i e which has communication with iii; cai biireter 9, preferably at the top, and is provided with a main valve 10, the operation of which is controlled by the sprocket wheel 11, this latter being operated in a manner to be presently described. Between the inlet to the carbureter and the, main valve 10, I preferably employ a check valve'12 to prevent back fiow of gas under pressure at the carbureter side of the line. The carbureter 9 has communication with each of the chambers 2 by way of the branch inlet pipes 13, each of which enters the respective chambers 2 adjacent the top of one of the U-arms and has its outlet 14: upwardly disposed as shown in Fig.1 so as to direct the gas to the top of the chamber. Each of the inlet pipes 13 is provided with a check valve 15 arranged to' open toward the chamber 2 but to remain closed under back pressure in the said pipe.

The gas admitted to the carbureter 9 is mixed with air drawn from the receiving chamber 3 by way of the pipe 16, which preferably has communication with the lower end of the carbureter 9. It will be understood that the mixture of air and gas delivered from the carbureter to the cham- Patented Mar. 9, 1915.

her 2 is an explosive mixture and preferably lighter than air so that it has a tendency to collect adjacent the top of the inlet arm of each chamber 2 where it is caused to be exploded by a spark or like device. As here shown I have provided each chamber with a spark plug 17, electrically controlled as will hereinafter be described. I have also shown a spark plug 18 located in each supply inlet pipe 13 for the purpose of causing an initial discharge in the inlet pipe and also preventing after-burning of any gases which would otherwise remain unfired after the main charge has been exploded by the spark plugs 17 It will further be noted that the mixtures in the two chambers are alternately exploded, as will be explained, so that the receiving chamber 3 is normally subject to the vacuum formed in one or the other of the chambers. The receiving chamber 3 has an inlet pipe 19 normally con nected to a vacuum pipe system for a house or to a conduit leading to any desired point of use. A relief valve 20 is preferably located in the inlet pipe 19 for the usual purpose.

21 designates outlet pipes connected respectively to the discharge end of each of the chambers 2, and each having commun1- cation with one of the cylinders 22, which are adapted to exhaust through the respective pipes 23. As the cylinders 22 are identical in construction the description of the details will be limited to one, and the same reference numerals will be applied to both. lVithin the cylinder 22 there is a piston 24 which in normal position closes the inlet 25, but is slidingly'mounted within the cylinder in order to be raised by the pressure of the exhaust gases and thus operate to shift the stem 26 to operate the lever 27. This lever 27 as will be seen from Fig. 2 is connected at each end for pivotal movement with the respective yokes 28 of the pistons 24 so that as the said pistons are alternately raised thefulcrum of the lever 27 will shift from one end to the other thereof so that the said lever has a rocking movement. The lever 27 is utilized to actuate the switch. mechanism for the proper timing of the spark plugs and, as here shown, is connected by chains or flexible members 29 and 30, located .at opposite sides of its center with a pivoted switch bar 31. The chain 29 joins the switch bar 31 at the opposite side of the fulcrum point from the chain 30. This switch bar 31 is suitably pivoted to the casing 1 at 32 and carries a counterweighted arm 33, which assists in the throw of the switch arm and insures proper electrical contact.

Each end of the switch bar 31 is provided with a pair of contacts 34 and 35, insulated from the switch bar and insulated from each other, said contacts being adapted to alternately seat upon pairs of contacts 36 and 37 suitably fixed upon the shelf or supporting bracket 38 in the path of the movable contacts and of course insulated from said shelf. The contacts 34 are connected by an electric conductor 39 to one terminal, of the secondary coil of the spark coil 40, while the remaining contacts 35 are similarly connected by a conductor 41 which leads to the opposite terminal of the secondary coil. Each of the contacts 36is electrically connected to one of thespark plugs. 17 by a conductor 42 while the contacts 37 are each connected .to a spark plug 18 bya conductor 43. It will thus be seen, when a current is induced in the secondary coil, that one or the other pair of plugs 17 and 18 are in the circuit and simultaneously produce the desired ignition, it being evident that the position of the switch bar 31 determines which make and break mechanism which is controlled by the pivoted arm 53 operated in one direction by means of an extension. 54 having connection through the chain 55 with the lever 27 In the opposite direction the lever 53 is controlled by a striker mechanism comprising the spring 56 having attached to its free end the weight 57. The.

rocking movement of the arm 53 is limited by a threaded stop 58 which is adapted to engage a suitable fixed part and thus bring the arm 53 to rest'while the spring 56 is thereby thrown away from the arm by the centrifugal action of the weight 57 and automatically springs back striking the arm 53 to return it to its position to close the circuit between the contactsv 46 and 48. The vibrator arm 53 is preferably mounted for rocking movement upon the shelf 38 and the latter also serves as a means of support for the coil box 40.

59 designates a pair of check valves lo cated in each exhaust pipe-21 for the purpose of preventing return of exhaust gases to the respective chambers after an explosion. In connection with the aforesaid exhaust pipes 21, leading from each chamber 2, it will be noted that an air inlet valve 60 is connected thereto and when open permits free communication between the chambers- 2 and the outside air so that when the device is not in operation there may be a free circulation of air through the chambers. A similar valve 61 is provided to admit air by way of the inlet pipe 62 into the opposite end of the respective chambers 2 so that there may be complete circulation of fresh air from end to end of the chambers. In the present instance both of these valves 60 and 61 are arranged for simultaneous operation by means of sprockets 63 and 64: mounted respectively upon the valve stems and connected by the driving chain 65, this latter being manually operated by means of the handle 66 attached to one of the sprockets. By reference to Fig. 1 it will be seen that I have mounted a second sprocket 67 upon the stem of the valve.61 for the purpose of transmitting movement of the sprocket 67 by way of the chain 68 to the sprocket 11 previously referred to, and. which controls the operation ofthe main gas valve 10.

69 designates a three-way valve having connection by way of pipes 70 with the respective chambers 2 and also having communication with the main gas supply pipe 8 by way of the by-passpipe 71. This bypass is employed to admit gas into the chambers 2 for starting purposes and is closed as soon as the main valve 10 has been opened by operation of the chain drive mechanism. I also employ the valve controlling mechanism to simultaneously open or close the switch 51 by providing an arm 72 fixed to the sprocket 11 and carrying the switch contacts thereon as will be understood. The air inlet pipe 16 leading to the carbureter is provided with a check valve 73 to prevent back pressure whereby the successive explosions have no effect upon the contents of the receiving chamber.

In Figs. 5 and 6 I have shown a modified type of casing adapted for use where a gas is employed which is heavier than air and in this instance the spark plugs 17 are located at the bottom of the chambers 2 while the mixture inlet pipes are directed downwardly as shown at 74:.

The operation of the device is as follows: The valve 69 is first opened momentarily to admit gas into one side of both chambers 2 and as this gas is lighter than air it rises and forms with the air an explosive mixture in the vicinity of the spark plugs 17. The sprocket 63 is now rotated to simultaneously close the air inlets 60 and 61 and also open the main gas valve 10 and close the switch 51. As soon as this takes place a current is induced in the secondary coil, and assuming that the switch bar 31 is in the position shown in Fig. 2 it will cause the two plugs 17 and 18 to spark substantially simultaneously, thus igniting the charge in one of the chambers 2. The result of the following explosion forces the column of air and burnt gases within this chamber 2 upwardly through the pipe 21 and check valves 59 to one of the cylinders 22. The pressureof these escaping gases lifts the piston 24 while the gases escape by suitable ports 75 to the exhaust 23. The sudden movement of the lifting the lower end of the switch bar 31 and causing it with the assistance of the weighted arm 33 to swing so that the contacts 34c and 35, carried by its opposite end, close the circuit for the spark plugs controlling the opposite chamber 2. The upward movement of the lever 27 through the chain 55 also rocks the make and break arm 53 to one side breaking the circuit momentarily and then it is returned by the action of the spring kicker member 56, thus again closing the primary circuit of the coil. The closing of the secondary circuits by the new position of the switch bar 31 causes the plugs inthe opposite chamber 2 to fire the mixture, whereupon the air is expelled in a manner similar to that described for the previous cylinder, and a vacuum produced at the inner end of the chamber. Thus, as each chamber explodes a vacuum is produced at the inner end thereof producing a suction through the pipe 16 upon the receiving chamber 3 and consequently air is drawn from the system by way of the pipe 19. The apparatus thus continues to alternately charge and explode the respective chambers with the result that there is substantially a constant vacuum produced which is available for cleaning purposes or the like. In connectiton with the pipe 19 which connects with the point of use for the purpose not only of supplying air to the apparatus but also drawing dust and dirt and the like into the dust receptacle, it will be noted that the valve 20 is provided in the nature of an inwardly opening relief valve. The function, therefore, of the valve 20 is to open under certain conditions, especially where the apparatus is not obtaining sufficient fresh air, and thus admitting an auxiliary supply of air to properly proportion the explosive mixture.

It will now be apparent that I have devised a complete, unitary vacuum producing means, simple in construction, economical in use, and effective for the purpose intended. Furthermore the. mechanism is automatic in its action and may be run indefinitely without particular care or attention while the simplicity thereof enables it to be operated by those unskilled in engineering or mechanics. It will also be apparent that I have devised a novel and useful construction which embodies the features of advantage enumerated as desirable in the statement of the invention and the above description, and while I have in the present instance shown and described the preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification in various particulars without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:-

1. In a device of the character stated, a casing having an explosion chamber therein provided with a mixture inlet and an exhaust outlet, a receptacle forming a receiving chamber adjacent said explosion chamber, an air conduit forming a means of communication between said receiving chamber exhaust outlet, a carbureter connected to said mixture inlet, a gas supply pipe communicating with said carburetor, a receptacle forming a receiving chamber adjacent said explosion chamber, anair conduit providing communication between said receiving chamber and said carbureter, a filtering device located within said receiving chamber, a main air supply pipehaving communication with the interior of said filtering device, check valves located respectively in said mixture inlet and exhaust outlet, a valve for controlling the supply of gas, means for producing an initial vacuum in said explo sion chamber to draw in an explosive mixture, and means for firing said mixture within said explosion chamber whereby a vacuum is produced for the purpose'of exhausting said receiving chamber.

3. In a device of the character stated, a.

casing having a plurality of separated explosion chambers therein, each provided with a mixture inlet and an exhaust outlet, a carbureter common to said mixture inlets, a gas supply pipecommumcating with sald carbureter, a receptacle forming a receiving chamber adjacent said explosion chambers, a filtering device located within said receiving chamber, a main air supply pipe having communication with the interior of said filtering device, an air conduit forming communication between said receiving chamber and said carbureter, check valves located re spectively in said mixture inlets and exhaust outlets, a valve for controlling the supply of gas, means for introducing a priming mixture into each of said explosion chambers, and means for alternately firing said explosion mixtures whereby a vacuum is produced in each of said chambers to draw ina new explosive mixture and also'to exhaust said receiving chamber.

l. In a device of the character stated, a casing having a plurality of i separate ex plosion chambers therein, each provided with a mixture inlet and an exhaustoutlet, a carbureter common to said mixturemlets, a gas supply pipe communicating with said carbureter, a receptacle forming a receiving chamber adjacent said explosion chambers, a filtering device located within said receiving chamber, a main air supply,

pipe having. communication with the interiorof said filtering, device, an air'conduit forming communication between said receiving chamber and said carbureter, check valves located respectively in said mixture inlet and exhaust outlets, a valve for controlling the supply of gas, means forintroducing a priming mixture into each of said explosion chambers, means for alternately firing said mixtures to produce an initial vacuum todraw in a new charge in supply pipe communicating with the interior of said filtering device, a carbureter connected to said conduit, a check valve in said conduit between said carbureter and said receiving chamber, a gas supply pipe connected to said carbureter, check valves 10- cated respectively in said mixture inlet and exhaust outlet, means to fire an explosive mixture within said explosion chamber, and means operated by the expelled gases after an explosion to control the timing ,of'said firing means.

6. In a device of the character stated, a

casing having a plurality of separate explosion chambers therein, each provided with a mixture inlet and an exhaust outlet, a carbureter common to said inlets, a gas supply pipe communicating with said carbureter, a receptacle forming a receiving chamber adjacentsaid explosion chambers, a filtering device located within said receiving chamber, a main, air supply pipe hav ing communication'with theinterior of said filteringdevice, an air conduit forming com+ munication between said receiving chamber and said carburetor, check valves located respectively in said mixture inlets and exhaust outlets, a valve for controlling the supply of gas, means for introducing a priming mixture into each of said explosion chambers,

means for alternately firing said mixtures to produce an initial vacuum to draw in a new charge in each chamber, and means controlled bv the expelled gases after an explosion for timing said firing means.

7. In a device of the character stated, a casing having a plurality of separate explosion chambers therein, each provided with a mixture inlet and an exhaust outlet, a carbureter common to said mixture inlets, a gas supply pipe communicating with said carbureter, a receptacle forming a receiving chamber adjacent said explosion chambers, a filtering device located within said receiving chamber, a main air supply pipe having communication with the interior of said filtering device, an air conduit formingcommunication between said receiving chamber and said carbureter, checkvalves located respectively in said mixture inlets and exhaust outlets, means for producing an initial vacuum in each chamber for drawing in an explosive mixture, an electric ignition mechanism for firing the mixture in each chamber, and means controlled by the expelled gases after an explosion for governing the operation of said ignition mechanism whereby the mixtures in said explosion chambers are alternately fired and a continuous vacuum is produced to exhaust said receiving chamber.

8. In a device of the character stated, a casing having a plurality of separate explosion chambers therein, each provided with a mixture inlet and an exhaust outlet, a carbureter common to said mixture inlets, a gas supply pipe communicating with said carbureter, a receptacle forming a receiving chamber adjacent said explosion chambers, a filtering device located within said receiving chamber, a main air supply pipe having communication with the interior of said filtering device, an air conduit forming communication between said receiving chamber and said carbureter, check valves located respectively in said mixture inlets and exhaust outlets, means for producing an initial vacuum in each chamber for drawing in an explosive mixture, an electric ignition mechanism for firing the mixture in each chamber, a main switch for closing the primary circuit of said ignition mechanism, means for simultaneously closing said switch and opening said gas supply valve, and means for automatically actuating said ignition mechanism to alternately fire a mixture charge in said cylinders whereby a substantially constant vacuum is produced to exhaust said receiving chamber.

9. In a device of the character stated, a casing having a plurality of separate explosion chambers therein, each provided with a mixture inlet and an exhaust outlet, a carbureter common to said mixture inlets, a gas supply pipecommunicating with said carbureter, a receptacle forming a receiving cham-- ber adjacent said explosion chambers, an air supply pipe having communication with said receiving chamber, a conduit connecting said receiving chamber and said carbureter,

check valves located respectively in said mixture inlets and exhaust outlets, a valve for controlling the supply of gas, means for introducing a priming mixture into each of said explosion chambers, and means for alternately firing said explosion mixtures whereby a vacuum is produced in each of said chambers to draw in a new explosive mixture and also to exhaust said receiving chamber.

10. In a device of the character stated, a casing having a plurality of separate explosion chambers therein, each provided with a mixture inlet and an exhaust outlet, aparbureter common to said mixture inlets, a gas supply pipe communicating with said carbureter, a receptacle forming a receiving chamber adjacent said explosion chambers, an air supply pipe having communication with said receiving chamber, a conduit connecting said receiving chamber and said carbureter, check valves located respectively in said mixture inlets and exhaust outlets, a valve 'for controlling the supply of gas, means for introducing a priming mixture into each of said explosion chambers, means for alternately firing said explosion mixtures whereby a vacuum is produced in each of said chambers to draw in a new explosive mixture and also to exhaust said receiving chamber, and means to admit fresh air, unmixed with gas, to said cylinders when the apparatus is in inoperative condition.

11. In a device of the character stated, a casing having a plurality ofseparate explosion chambers therein, each provided with a mixture inlet and an exhaust outlet, a carbureter common to said mixture inlet, a gas supply pipe communicating with said carbureter, a receptacle forming a receiving chamber adjacent said explosion chambers, a filtering device located within said receiving chamber, a main air supply pipe having communication with the interior of said filtering device, an air conduit forming communication between said receiving chamber and said carbureter, check valves located respectively in said mixture inlets and exhaust outlets, means for producing an initial vacuum in each chamber for drawing in an explosive mixture, an electric ignition mechanism for firing the mixture in each chamber, a main switch for closing the primary circuit of said ignition mechanism, auxiliary air inlets for each explosion chamber, valves controlling said auxiliary inlets, means for simultaneously operating said switch, said auxiliary inlet valves and said gas supply valves, and means for automatically actuating said ignition mechanism to alternately fire a mixture charge in said cylinders whereby a substantially constant vacuum is produced to exhaust said receiving chamber.

12. In a device of the character stated, a casing having a plurality of separate explosion chambers therein, each provided with a mixture inlet and an exhaust outlet, a carbureter common to said mixture inlets, a gas supply pipe communicating with said carbureter, a receptacle forming a receivingcham ber adjacent said explosion .chambers, a filtering device located within said receiving chamber, a main air supply pipe having communication with the interior of said filtering device, an air conduit forming com-- munication between said receiving chamber and said carbureter, check valves located respectively in said mixture inlets and ex.- haust outlets, means for producing an initial vacuum in each chamber for drawing in an explosive mixture, an electric ignition mechanism for firing the mixture in each chamber, a main switch for closing the primary circuit of said ignitionmechanism, auxiliary air inlets for each explosion chamber, valves for controlling said auxiliary inlets, means for simultaneously closing said switch, closing said auxiliary inlet valves and opening said gas supply valve, and means for automatically actuating said ignition-mechanism to alternately fire a mixture charge in said cylinders whereby a substantially constant vacuum is produced toiexhaust said receiving chamber.

13. In a device of the character stated, a casing having a U-shaped explosion chamber therein provided with a mixture inlet communicating with one end of said cham ber and an exhaust outlet communicating with theopposite end, a receptacle forming a receiving chamber adjacent said explosion chamber, an air conduit forming .a means of communlcation between said recelvlng cham:

ber and said explosion chamber, a check valve controlling said conduit, an airsupply pipe communicating with the interiorof said receiving chamber, a gas supply pipe havingcommunication with said air conduit for delivering an explosive mixture to said explosion chamber through said mixture-im let, and means to fire said mixture to produce a vacuum for exhausting said receiving chamber.,.

1 1-. In a device of the character stated, a

of said receiving chamber, a gas supply pipecommunicating with said carbureter connections between saldcarbureter and each mixture inlet to introduce an explosive mixture.

to each explosion chamber, and means to alternately fire said mixtures wherebyv a vacuum is produced to exhaust said receiving chamber.

In testimony that I claimthe foregoing as my invention, I hereunto set my hand this 7th day of July, 1914;.

JOHN PRIEST. Witnesses ROBERT M. BARR, C. H. WISSMANN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the. Commissioner of Tatents,

Washington, D. G. 

